Queenan Edwards immobilization vest

ABSTRACT

A buttoned vest of woven material and two bands of approximately two inches wide sewn on each side of vest front to stabilize arm ( 1 ). Vest is preferably lined. Bands ( 8 ) are closed with hook and loop closure or other secure fasteners for adjustable fit. Two piece belting device ( 2 ) on back of vest with secure adjustable fastener for waist size adjustment. Additional bands ( 8 ) approximately two inches wide and approximately ten inches long included for either adjustment or use with cast.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Jean Edwards had shoulder surgery, and after trying conventional slings to hold her arm still, was disappointed with the sling due to pain in her neck where the sling rested, and lack of immobilization leading to pain when her arm was jostled. Mrs. Edwards designed the Immobilization vest for her own use to keep her arm stable during healing. Mrs. Edwards' Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Queenan, was thrilled with her invention and requested to test it on his other shoulder patients to try a more comfortable immobilization device. The patients were so pleased with the vest that they suggested this needed to be made available to all patients, and so Mrs. Edwards decided to patent the invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The vest is made of woven material with a back and a front. The buttoned vest has two bands with one sewn on each side of the vest front. Vest has a cinch belt in the back to accommodate large and small individuals. Vest will be lined, with buttons and button holes for front closure. Bands are closed with hook and loop closures to adjust fit. Arm rests across abdomen held securely with the two bands securing lower arm and wrist. Additional band attachments are made to extend bands for adjustment or use with arm casts.

DESCRIPTION

-   -   1. In construction trials for the manufacture of the         immobilization vest, the lined version proved to be the more         cost efficient as it is quickly assembled and a superior         product. Using the method of construction as described for the         lined vest proved the product can be produced quickly and         economically. The finished vest is depicted in FIGS. 1 (front)         and 2 (back).         -   a. Cut two side front pieces and one back of both lining and             outer material. Sew shoulder seams of both lining and outer             material as shown in FIG. 3.         -   b. Place reinforcing strip of iron-on interfacing on wrong             side of center front of outer material. Press strips in             place, press shoulder seams open as shown in FIG. 4.         -   c. Placing right sides together, sew lining to outer vest             around armholes, “x” to “x” and “y” to “y” as shown in FIG.             5.         -   d. Sew front edges together from “w” to “w” as shown in FIG.             6.         -   e. Turn vest to right side by pulling bottom edge of vest             fronts through shoulder seams.         -   f. Sew underarm seams starting at “v” and continuing to             point “s” as shown in FIG. 7.         -   g. Fold under seam allowance across back and top stitch.             Continue top-stitching all around bottom edge and front and             also around armholes.         -   h. Space five buttonholes down one side of vest front and             sew buttons on the other side front.         -   i. For bands cut eight strips of outer material twelve             inches long and three inches wide for small size and longer             for larger size vest. Sew around edge leaving one end open             for turning. Turn to right side, turn in raw edge that was             left for turning and top stitch all around. Sew hook and             loop closure material on ends of strips. The two extra bands             are for use as extensions for adjustment or if arm is in a             cast. Sew a band on each side of vest front at elbow level.         -   j. For back adjustment belt, cut two straps approximately             three inches wide and 15 inches long. Sew around edge             leaving one end for turning. Turn to right side, turn in raw             edge that was left for turning and top stitch all around.             Sew hook and loop closure or other secure fastener on ends             of strips. Sew belt like device on back of vest with             fasteners for waist adjustment.         -   k. FIG. 8 shows the bands used for securing arm. 

1. A buttoned vest of woven material with two bands of approximately two inches wide sewn on each side of vest front to stabilize arm.
 2. Vest is preferably lined.
 3. Bands are closed with hook and loop closure or other secure fasteners for adjustable fit.
 4. Two piece belting device on back of vest with secure adjustable fastener for waist size adjustment.
 5. Additional bands approximately two inches wide and approximately ten inches long included for either adjustment or use with cast. 